Promise vs. Swear

These verbs are synonymous but they involve different levels of seriousness and solemnity which we are going to highlight in this lesson.

What is the difference between 'promise' and 'swear'?

'Promise' and 'swear' both involve making commitments or saying that you will do something. However, 'swear' is a stronger word that implies a more serious commitment. This lesson will further discuss the difference between these two verbs.

Level of Seriousness

'Promise' is often used to express a commitment or give assurance to do something or to act in a certain way. It emphasizes a voluntary declaration of intent or a pledge to fulfill a particular obligation or expectation. 'Swear', on the other hand, typically involves making a more solemn or formal declaration, often implying a higher degree of determination or commitment and a sense of seriousness or intensity. It sometimes involves making an oath on something considered sacred, or appealing to a higher power to witness the truthfulness of one's words or actions. Here are some examples:

I promised I would help her finish the project.

He promised to keep the secret and not disclose it to anyone.

He swore to keep the secret and not disclose it to anyone.

'Swear' involves a more serious commitment than 'promise'.

I swear on my mother's grave that it will never happen again.

'Swearing' can involve making an oath on something sacred.

He swore to uphold the constitution and defend the rights of the citizens.

Tip!

'Promise' can be a ditransitive verb where its indirect object is a noun phrase that denotes the person to whom a promise is made, and the direct object a noun phrase or a that- clause that signifies the thing that is promised.

She promised her parents a trip to the beach.

Here, 'her parents' is the indirect object and 'a trip to the beach' is the direct object.

She promised her parents that they would go on a trip to the beach.

Comments

(0)

Share on :